Airport Planning

errata Traditional forecasting techniques are still in play, but are considered archaic. US airlines are focused on international travel more than domestic population growth. Impacts by low cost carriers are game changers and are volatile. Fleet mixes are changing drastically with regional jet leases coming to their end. Small airports like LEX look at the airline industry very differently than DFW, ATL or LAX. Non-aeronautical development considered?

Types of airport plans  Airport systems plans  Airport master plans (similar to LRP)  Airport project plans (similar to TIP)

FAA Regulations and Rules  Advisory Circulars Advisory Circulars  Federal Aviation Regulations Federal Aviation Regulations

Airport Master Plans  AC 150/5070-6B AC 150/5070-6B  An airport master plan is a comprehensive study of the airport and typically describes short-, medium-, and long-term plans for airport development. Master planning studies, that address major revisions are commonly referred to as “Master Plans,” while those that change only parts of the existing document and require a relatively low level of effort tend to be known as “Master Plan Updates.” In common usage, however, the distinction refers to the relative levels of effort and detail of master planning studies. In most cases, the master plan will include the following elements: 1) Pre-planning 2) Public Involvement 3) Environmental Considerations 4) Existing Conditions 5) Aviation Forecasts 6) Facility Requirements 7) Alternatives Development and Evaluation 8) Airport Layout Plans 9) Facilities Implementation Plan 10) Financial Feasibility Analysis

 1) Pre-planning – The pre-planning process includes Initial Needs Determination Development of Study Design Application for Study Funding Request for Proposal and Consultant Selection Negotiation of Consultant Contract

 2) Public Involvement – Once the consultant team is under contract and has been issued a notice-to-proceed, establish a public involvement program and identify and document the key issues of various stakeholders.

 3) Environmental Considerations – A clear understanding of the environmental requirements needed to move forward with each project in the recommended development program.

 4) Existing Conditions – An inventory of pertinent data for use in subsequent plan elements.

FAA Airport Master Record Form  Runway Data Length, width, composition, %grade, %wind cover, direction  Navaids Data Lighting, slope indicators, obstructions, wind indicators, etc.  Terminal Services Fire & rescue, weather station, type and number of hangars, type and amount of fuel storage, type of services, hours of operation …  Operational Data Based GA and Military Aircraft, estimated location and itinerant operations

 5) Aviation Forecasts – Forecasts of aeronautical demand for short-, medium-, and long-term time frames.

 6) Facility Requirements Assess the ability of the existing airport, both airside and landside, to support the forecast demand. Identify the demand levels that will trigger the need for facility additions or improvements and estimate the extent of new facilities that may be required to meet that demand.

 7) Alternatives Development and Evaluation Identify options to meet projected facility requirements and alternative configurations for each major component. Assess the expected performance of each alternative against a wide range of evaluation criteria, including its operational, environmental, and financial impacts. A recommended development alternative will emerge from this process and will be further refined in subsequent tasks. This element should aid in developing the purpose and need for subsequent environmental documents.

Airport Site Selection Factors  Convenience to users  Availability of land and costs  Design and layout of airport  Airspace obstructions  Engineering factors  Social and environmental factors  Availability of utilities  Atmospheric conditions  Hazards due to birds Hazards due to birds  Coordination with other airports

 8) Airport Layout Plans set of drawings that provides a graphic representation of the long-term development plan for an airport the primary drawing in this set is the Airport Layout Plan. Other drawings may also be included

 9) Facilities Implementation Plan summary description of recommended improvements and associated costs schedule of improvements depends on levels of demand that trigger the need for expansion

 10) Financial Feasibility Analysis Identify the financial plan for the airport describe how the sponsor will finance the projects recommended in the master plan demonstrate the financial feasibility of the program

Environmental planning  Next lectures

Continuous planning  Update data affecting master plan  Reappraisal of master plan in view of changes  Modify plan to retain viability  Track system plan and rectify master plan with it  Public input  Refine goals and policies  Integrate system plan with other modes  Analyze special issues  Publish interim reports and plan updates